Display apparatus

ABSTRACT

A display apparatus includes a substrate, a display unit, a first wire unit, and a dummy unit. The substrate includes a first area, a second area, and a bending area. The bending area is disposed between a first area and a second area. The display unit is disposed in the first area. The first wire unit is electrically connected to the display unit and includes a plurality of first wires disposed on the substrate over the first area, the bending area, and the second area. The plurality of first wires include a plurality of holes disposed in the bending area and spaced apart from each other by a first pitch. The dummy wire unit includes a plurality of dummy wires disposed in the bending area.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This non-provisional application is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/883,513 filed on May 26, 2020, which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/364,483 filed on Mar. 26,2019, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,665,643 issued on May 26, 2020, which is acontinuation of non-provisional application is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/871,255 filed on Jan. 15, 2018, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,243,024 issued on Mar. 26, 2019, which claims priority under 35U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0047589, filed onApr. 12, 2017 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, thedisclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept relate to adisplay apparatus having a bendable or a flexible characteristic.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A display apparatus includes a display unit. The display unit ispositioned on a substrate. As portions of the display apparatus arebent, visibility from various angles may be increased or reduced.

However, defects in the display apparatus may occur during a process ofmanufacturing as a display apparatus is bent. Additionally, a lifetimeof the display apparatus may be reduced as the display apparatus isbent.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept provide a displayapparatus having a longer lifetime and minimized occurrence of a defectsuch as a disconnection during a manufacturing process thereof.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive conceptprovide a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a substrate,a display unit, a first wire unit, and a dummy wire unit. The substrateincludes a first area, a second area, and a bending area. The bendingarea is disposed between the first area and the second area. The bendingarea is configured to be bent. The display unit is disposed in the firstarea. The first wire unit is electrically connected to the display unit.The first wire unit includes a plurality of first wires disposed on thesubstrate over the first area, the bending area, and the second area.The plurality of first wires are spaced apart from each other in thebending area by a first pitch. The dummy wire unit includes a pluralityof dummy wires disposed in the bending area.

The plurality of dummy wires may be spaced apart from each other by apitch. The pitch may be substantially the same as the first pitch.

Each of the plurality of first wires may include a plurality of holes.The plurality of holes may be disposed in the bending area.

The plurality of dummy wires may include a plurality of holes.

The display apparatus may further include a second wire unit. The secondwire unit may be electrically connected to the display unit. The secondwire unit may include a plurality of second wires disposed on thesubstrate over the first area, the bending area, and the second area.The plurality of second wires may include a plurality of holes disposedin the bending area.

The dummy wire unit may be disposed between the first wire unit and thesecond wire unit.

The plurality of second wires may be spaced apart from each other in thebending area by a second pitch. The second pitch may be substantiallythe same as the first pitch.

The plurality of dummy wires may be spaced apart from each other by apitch. The pitch may be substantially the same as the first pitch.

Each of the plurality of second wires may include a plurality ofsub-wires disposed in the bending area.

The plurality of sub-wires may be spaced apart from each other by apitch. The pitch may be substantially the same as the first pitch.

The display apparatus may further include a third wire unit. The thirdwire unit may be electrically connected to the display unit. The thirdwire unit may include a plurality of third wires disposed on thesubstrate over the first area, the bending area, and the second area.The plurality of third wires may include a plurality of holes disposedin the bending area. The plurality of third wires may be spaced apartfrom each other by a third pitch. The third pitch may be greater thanthe first pitch.

The third pitch may be n times the first pitch, n≥2, and n is a naturalnumber.

At least one or more of the plurality of dummy wires may be disposedbetween the plurality of third wires in the bending area.

The plurality of dummy wires disposed between the plurality of thirdwires may be spaced apart from each other by a pitch. The pitch may besubstantially the same as the first pitch.

A third wire of the plurality of third wires and a dummy wire from theplurality of dummy wires adjacent to each other may be spaced apart fromeach other by a pitch. The pitch may be substantially the same as thefirst pitch.

The dummy wire unit might be not electrically connected to the displayunit.

The display apparatus may further include an inorganic insulating layer.The inorganic insulating layer may be disposed on the substrate. Theinorganic insulating layer may include an opening corresponding to thebending area. Ends of each of the plurality of dummy wires may extendoutside the opening.

The display apparatus may further include an organic layer. The organiclayer my fill at least portions of the opening. The organic layer may bedisposed between the substrate and the first wire unit and between thesubstrate and the dummy wire unit. Ends of each of the plurality ofdummy wires may extend to outside the organic layer.

An end of each of the plurality of dummy wires may be disposed in thefirst area. Another end of each of the plurality of dummy wires may bedisposed in the second area.

An insulating film may be disposed on ends of each of the plurality ofdummy wires. The insulating film may cover ends of each of the pluralityof dummy wires.

The display apparatus may further include a thin film transistor. Thethin film transistor may be disposed in the first area or the secondarea. The thin film transistor may include a source electrode, a drainelectrode, and a gate electrode. The plurality of dummy wires mayinclude substantially a same material as a material included in thesource electrode or the drain electrode.

A portion of the plurality of first wires disposed in the bending areamay include substantially a same material as a material included in thesource electrode or the drain electrode. A portion of the plurality offirst wires disposed in the first area and the second area may includesubstantially a same material as a material included in the gateelectrode.

One or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive conceptprovide a display apparatus. The display apparatus includes a substrate,a display unit, a plurality of first wires, and a plurality of dummywires. The substrate includes a first area, a second area, and a bendingarea. The bending area is disposed between the first area and the secondarea. The bending area is configured to be bent with respect to abending axis extending in a first direction. The display unit isdisposed in the first area. The plurality of first wires are disposed inthe bending area. The plurality of first wires are electricallyconnected to the display unit. The plurality of dummy wires are disposedin the bending area. The plurality of dummy wires are not electricallyconnected to the display unit. Each of the plurality of first wires andthe plurality of dummy wires include a plurality of holes disposed inthe bending area. Each of the plurality of first wires and each of theplurality of dummy wires are spaced apart from each other in the bendingarea by a same pitch.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readilyappreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 2 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatus ofFIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 3 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 4 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 7 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 8 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept;

FIG. 15 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

FIG. 16 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;and

FIG. 17 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept allow forvarious changes and numerous embodiments, certain embodiments will beillustrated in the drawings and described in detail herein. Exemplaryembodiments of the present inventive concept may, however, be embodiedin many different forms and should not be construed as being limited tothe exemplary embodiments set forth herein.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to likeelements throughout, and repeated descriptions thereof may be omitted.

It will be understood that although the terms “first”, “second”, etc.may be used herein to describe various components, these componentsshould not be limited by these terms. These components are only used todistinguish one component from another.

In the following examples, the x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are notlimited to three axes of the rectangular coordinate system, and may beinterpreted in a broader sense. For example, the x-axis, the y-axis, andthe z-axis may be substantially perpendicular to one another, or mayrepresent different directions that are not substantially perpendicularto one another.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept. FIG. 2 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept may include a substrate 100.A portion of the substrate 100 may be bent, for example, as illustratedin FIG. 1 . Thus, a portion of the display apparatus may have a bentform similar to a bent form of the substrate 100. FIG. 2 illustrates astate in which the display apparatus is not bent. In cross-sectionalviews or planar views of exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept described herein, a display apparatus in an unbent state will bedescribed in more detail.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the substrate 100 included in a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept may include a bending area BA. The bending area BA may extend ina first direction (e.g., a +y direction). The bending area BA may bepositioned between a first area 1A and a second area 2A, for example, ina second direction (e.g., a +x direction). The first direction mayintersect with the first direction. Referring to FIG. 1 , the substrate100 may be bent corresponding to a bending axis BAX. The bending axisBAX may extend in the first direction (e.g., a +y direction).

The substrate 100 may include various materials having a flexible or abendable characteristic. For example, the substrate 100 may include apolymer resin such as polyethersulfone (PES), polyacrylate (PAR),polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene napthalate (PEN), polyethyeleneterepthalate (PET), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyarylate, polyimide(PI), polycarbonate (PC), or cellulose acetate propionate (CAP).

The first area 1A may include a display area DA and a non-display areaNDA. The non-display area NDA may be disposed outside the display areaDA. Referring to FIG. 2 , the first area 1A may include the display areaDA and a portion of a non-display area NDA disposed outside of thedisplay area DA. The second area 2A may include the non-display areaNDA. The bending area BA may be disposed between the first area 1A andthe second area 2A. The bending area BA may include the non-display areaNDA.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a first wire unit 310 u and a second wire unit 320u may be disposed on the substrate 100. The first wire unit 310 u andthe second wire unit 320 u may be disposed in the non-display area NDA.The first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u may be disposedin each of the first area 1A, the bending area BA, and the second area2A. Thus, a portion of each of the first wire unit 310 u and the secondwire unit 320 u may overlap the bending area BA and be disposed on thebending area BA. The first wire unit 310 u may include a plurality offirst wires 310. The second wire unit 320 u may include a plurality ofsecond wires 320.

Each of the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u may beelectrically connected to a display unit 200. The display unit 200 maybe disposed in the display area DA of the substrate 100. The first wireunit 310 u may be a wire for transmitting a data signal to the displayunit 200. For example, the first wire unit 310 u may be a data line. Thesecond wire unit 320 u may be disposed separate from the first wire unit310 u. The second wire unit 320 u may include a data line, a power wire321 and a driving circuit wire 322. The power wire 321 may supply apower to the display unit 200. The driving circuit wire 322 may apply asignal, for example, to a scan driving circuit 550. The scan drivingcircuit 550 may be a shift register. For example, the power wire 321 maybe an ELVDD, ELVSS, or the like. The driving circuit wire 322 may be ascan line, a gate line, or the like.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u may include oneor more metals including molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt),palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni),neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), nickel (Li), calcium (Ca),titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), and/or copper (Cu). The first wire unit 310u may have a single-layered structure or a multi-layered structure. Thesecond wire unit 320 u may have a single-layered structure or amulti-layered structure.

A pad unit 500 may be disposed at an edge of the substrate 100. Forexample, the pad unit 500 may be disposed at an edge of the substrate100 where ends of the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320u are located. A chip or the like may be attached to the pad unit 500.The chip may be separately prepared from the display apparatus. Thefirst wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u may each transmit asignal applied to the pad unit 500 to the display unit 200, for example,via the chip.

The display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept may include a dummy wire unit 300 u. The dummywire unit 300 u may be disposed on the bending area BA. The dummy wireunit 300 u may include a plurality of dummy wires 300. The plurality ofdummy wires 300 disposed on the bending area BA may be substantiallyparallel to each of the plurality of first wires 310 and the pluralityof second wires 320 disposed on the bending area BA. For example, theplurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of first wires 310, and theplurality of second wire 320 may be substantially parallel to eachother. Referring to FIG. 2 , the plurality of first wires 310 and theplurality of second wires 320 disposed on the bending area BA may besubstantially parallel to the first direction (e.g., the +y direction).The plurality of first wires 310 may be spaced apart from the pluralityof second wires 320. The plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disposedbetween the plurality of first wires 310 and the plurality of secondwires 320. The plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disposed between theplurality of second wires 320.

The dummy wire unit 300 u might not be electrically connected to thedisplay unit 200. The first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320u may each be electrically connected to the display unit 200.Accordingly, a substantial portion of the dummy wire unit 300 u may bedisposed on the bending area BA. The dummy wire unit 300 u may extend toportions of the first area 1A and the second area 2A. The dummy wireunit 300 u might not transmit an electrical signal. Thus, the dummy wireunit 300 u might not be connected to the display unit 200 or the padunit 500.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the dummy wire unit 300 u may include one or more metals includingmolybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver(Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium(Ir), chromium (Cr), nickel (Li), calcium (Ca), titanium (Ti), tungsten(W), and/or copper (Cu). The dummy wire unit 300 u may have asingle-layered structure or a multi-layered structure.

FIG. 3 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 3 illustrates a magnified view of a display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, and moreparticularly a portion of the first wire unit 310 u and the dummy wireunit 300 u disposed in the bending area BA.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the first wire unit 310 u may be positioned on oneside of the bending area BA. The dummy wire unit 300 u may be adjacentto the first wire unit 310 u. For example, the plurality of first wires310 of the first wire unit 310 u may be disposed to be spaced apart fromeach other by a predetermined distance. An electrical wire might not belocated on either side of the first wire unit 310 u. The dummy wire unit300 u may be disposed on either side of the first wire unit 310 u.

When wires are disposed on a non-display area of a substrate in astraight line form (e.g., a solid form) and a portion of the non-displayarea is bent, stress may be concentrated in a portion of the wireslocated in a bending area. Thus, a formation of a crack in the wires andan occurrence of a defect such as a disconnection of the wires mayoccur.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the plurality of first wires 310 included inthe first wire unit 310 u may include a plurality of holes H. Theplurality of holes H may be disposed in the bending area BA. The firstwires 310 positioned in the first area 1A or the second area 2A mightnot include the plurality of holes H. The plurality of first wires 310located in the first area 1A or the second area 2A may also include theholes H. The plurality of first wires 310 disposed in the bending areaBA may include the holes H. Thus, a concentration of stress in thebending area BA when the display apparatus is bent may be reduced.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the plurality of dummy wires 300 included in thedummy wire unit 300 u may include the plurality of holes H in thebending area BA. As described above, the dummy wire unit 300 u may bedisposed on the bending area BA and might not be electrically connectedto the display unit 200 or the pad unit 500. Thus, the plurality ofdummy wires 300 included in the dummy wire unit 300 u may include theplurality of holes H.

The plurality holes H described above may be formed such that theysubstantially pass through each of the plurality of dummy wires 300 andthe plurality of first wires 310, for example, including metal layers,in a plane (e.g., an x-y plane) of a planar view. Thus, the plurality ofdummy wires 300 and the plurality of first wires 310 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept may be in apatterned form including the plurality holes H in the bending area BA.The terms “the formation” and “the form” may refer to a planar form(e.g., an x-y plane) of the plurality of dummy wires 300 and theplurality of first wires 310 as a whole. Thus, the terms “the formation”and “the form” might not refer to individual differences between widths,lengths, or thicknesses of the plurality of dummy wires 300 and theplurality of first wires 310. Referring to FIG. 3 , the plurality offirst wires 310 may be spaced apart from each other by a first pitch P1.Thus, the plurality of first wires 310 may be spaced apart from eachother by substantially a same distance. The term “pitch” as used hereinmay refer to a distance between central axes of two adjacent wires ofthe plurality of first wires 310. Thus, the term “pitch” according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept described hereinmight not refer to an interval or a distance between two directlyadjacent wires, but a distance between two central axes. When each widthof the plurality of first wires 310 located on the bending area BA issubstantially the same, the plurality of first wires 310 may be spacedapart by the first pitch P1. Thus, an interval or a distance between thefirst plurality wires 310 may be substantially the same.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the plurality of dummy wires 300 disposed in the bending area BA may bespaced apart by a pitch P. The pitch P may be substantially the same asthe first pitch P1 of the plurality of first wires 310. In the bendingarea BA, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed adjacent to the firstwire unit 310 u. The dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed in an areawhere electrical wires are not disposed.

Since the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed adjacent to the firstwire unit 310 u, a first wire 310 of the plurality first wires 310 mostadjacent to the dummy wire unit 300 u may be spaced apart from theplurality of dummy wires 300 by a pitch P1′. The pitch P1′ may besubstantially the same as the first pitch P1. Thus, the first pitch P1and pitches P and P1′ of the dummy and first wires 300 and 310 in thebending area BA may be substantially the same. Additionally, the firstwire unit 310 u and the dummy wire unit 300 u may be spaced apart fromeach other by the pitch P1′.

The display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept may have a structure in which the plurality ofholes H are formed in the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality offirst wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320 located in thebending area BA. The plurality of holes H may increase flexibility ofthe plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of first wires 310, andthe plurality of second wires 320. The plurality of holes H may beseveral micro-meters. The plurality of holes H may be formed by adeliberate patterning operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,when the dummy wire units 300 u are not formed in the same structure,the plurality of holes H might not be sufficiently formed in theoutermost wires of the plurality of first wires 310 of the first wireunit 310 u. The plurality of holes H not being formed in a manner mayindicate defects in which the plurality of holes H are formed smallerthan intended, have different sizes, or the like.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be positionedadjacent to the first wire unit 310 u. The plurality of dummy wires 300may be spaced apart from each other by the pitch P. The pitch P may besubstantially the same as the first pitch P1 of the plurality of firstwires 310 of the first wire unit 310 u. Pattern densities of theplurality of dummy wires 300 and the plurality of first wires 310disposed on the bending area BA may be substantially equal, for example,due to a pattern compensation structure of the dummy wire unit 300 u.Thus, when the plurality of holes H are formed in the plurality of dummywires 300 and the plurality of first wires 310 positioned on the bendingarea BA by patterning, for example, by uniform patterning may beperformed with relative ease.

FIG. 4 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 4 illustrates a magnified view of a display apparatus according toan exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, and moreparticularly a portion including a first wire unit 310 u, a second wireunit 320 u, and a dummy wire unit 300 u positioned in the bending areaBA.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the first wire unit 310 u may be disposed at oneside of the bending area BA. The second wire unit 320 u may be disposedat another side of the bending area BA. The dummy wire unit 300 u may bedisposed between the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320u. Thus, the first wire unit 310 u may be spaced apart from the secondwire unit 320 u by a predetermined distance, and an electrical wiremight not be disposed between the first wire unit 310 u and the secondwire unit 320 u. The dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed between thefirst wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u.

When wires of a straight form (e.g., a solid form) are disposed on anon-display area of a substrate and a portion of the non-display area isbent, stress may be concentrated in a portion of the wires disposed in abending area. Thus, a formation of a crack of the wires and a defectsuch as a disconnection of the wires may occur.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the plurality of first wires 310 included inthe first wire unit 310 u may include the plurality holes H in thebending area BA. The plurality of second wires 320 included in thesecond wire unit 320 u may include the plurality of holes H in thebending area BA. The plurality of first wires 310 and the plurality ofsecond wires 320 disposed in the first area 1A or the second area 2Amight not include the plurality of holes H. The plurality of first wires310 and the plurality of second wires 320 disposed in the first area 1Aor the second area 2A may also include the plurality of holes H.However, the plurality of first wires 310 and the plurality of secondwires 320 may include the plurality of holes H in the bending area BA.Thus, when the bending area BA is bent, a concentration of stress may bereduced.

The plurality of dummy wires 300 included in the dummy wire unit 300 umay also include the plurality of holes H in the bending area BA. Asdescribed above, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed on thebending area BA. The dummy wire unit 300 u might not be electricallyconnected to the display unit 200 or the pad unit 500. Thus, theplurality of dummy wires 300 may include the plurality of holes H.

The plurality of holes H described above may be formed such that theypass through each of the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality offirst wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320, for example,including metal layers, on a plane (e.g., the x-y plane) of the planarview. Thus, the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of firstwires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320 may have a patternedform including the plurality of holes H in the bending area BA. Theterms “the formation” and “the form” as used herein may refer to aplanar form (e.g., the x-y plane) of the plurality of dummy wires 300,the plurality of first wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320as a whole. Thus, the terms “the formation” and “the form” might notrefer to individual differences between widths, lengths, or thicknessesof the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of first wires 310,and the plurality of second wires 320.

Referring to FIG. 4 , the plurality of first wires 310 may be spacedapart from each other by a first pitch P1. Thus, the plurality of firstwires 310 may be spaced apart from each other by substantially a samedistance. The term “pitch” as used herein may refer to a distancebetween the central axes of two adjacent wires among the plurality offirst wires 310. Thus, the term “pitch” according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept described herein might notrefer to an interval or a distance between two adjacent wires, but adistance between two central axes. When each width of the plurality offirst wires 310 disposed in the bending area BA is substantially thesame, the plurality of first wires 310 may be spaced apart by the firstpitch P1. Thus, an interval or a distance between the plurality of firstwires 310 may be substantially the same.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the plurality of second wires 320 of the second wire units 320 udisposed in the bending area BA may be spaced apart from each other by asecond pitch P2. Thus, the plurality of second wires 320 may be spacedapart from each other by substantially a same distance. The second pitchP2 may be substantially the same as the first pitch P1. Each of theplurality of first wires 310 and each of the plurality of second wires320 may be spaced apart from each other by substantially a same pitch.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the plurality of dummy wires 300 disposed in the bending area BA may bespaced apart by a pitch P. The pitch P may be substantially the same asthe first pitch P1 of the plurality of first wires 310. The dummy wireunit 300 u may be disposed in an area between the first wire unit 310 uand the second wire unit 320 u. The dummy wire unit 300 u may bedisposed in the bending area BA. The dummy wire unit 300 u may bedisposed in an area in which electrical wires are not located.

When the dummy wire unit 300 u is disposed between the first wire unit310 u and the second wire unit 320 u, a first wire 310 of the pluralityof first wires 310 most adjacent to the dummy wire unit 300 u may bespaced apart from the dummy wire unit 300 u by a pitch P1′. The pitchP1′ may be substantially the same as the first pitch P1. A second wire320 of the plurality of second wires 320 most adjacent to the dummy wireunit 300 u may be spaced apart from the dummy wires 300 by a pitch P2′.The pitch P2′ may be substantially the same as the second pitch P2. Asdescribed above, the second pitch P2 and the first pitch P1 may besubstantially the same. Thus, the pitches P1, P1′, P2, P2′, and P of theplurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of first wires 310, and theplurality of second wires 320 positioned in the bending area BA may besubstantially same as each other.

As described above, the display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept may include a structureincluding the plurality of holes H in the plurality of dummy wires 300,the plurality of first wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 300.The plurality of holes H may be disposed in the bending area BA. Theplurality of holes H may be formed to be several micro-meters. Theplurality of holes H may be formed by a precise patterning operation.

As an example, when dummy wire units 300 u are not formed in the samestructure, the plurality of holes H might not formed in a “standard”manner in first wires 310 disposed at an outer side from among the firstwires 310 of the first wire unit 310 u, or second wires 320 disposed atan outer side from among the second wires 320 of the second wire unit320 u. Here, the holes H not being formed in a “standard” manner mayindicate defects of holes H in which the holes H are formed smaller thanintended, having different sizes, or the like.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposedbetween the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u. Theplurality of dummy wires 300 may be spaced apart from the first wireunits 310 u and the second wire units 320 u by the same pitch P. Patterndensities of the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of firstwires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320 disposed in the bendingarea BA may be substantially equal to each other, for example, due to apattern compensation structure of the dummy wire unit 300 u. Thus, whenthe plurality of holes H are formed in the plurality of dummy wires 300,the plurality of first wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320disposed in the bending area BA by patterning, uniform patterning may beperformed with relative ease.

FIG. 5 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 6 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a first wire unit 310 u may be positioned in oneside of the bending area BA. A third wire unit 330 u may be positionedin another side of the bending area BA. For example, the third wire unit330 u may be disposed adjacent to the first wire unit 310 u. A dummywire unit 300 u may be disposed between third wire units 330 u.According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, aposition and a form of the first wire unit 310 u may be substantiallythe same as embodiments described above. Thus, repetitive descriptionsthereof may be omitted.

The third wire unit 330 u may include a plurality of third wires 330.Similar to the first wire unit 310 u, the third wire unit 330 u may be awire for transmitting a data signal to the display unit 200. Forexample, the third wire unit 330 u may be a data line. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the third wireunit 330 u may be a power wire, for example, for supplying power to thedisplay unit 200. The third wire unit 330 u may be a driving circuitwire, for example, for applying a signal to a scan driving circuit.

When wires are disposed on a non-display area of a substrate in astraight line form (e.g., solid form) and a portion of the non-displayarea is bent, stress may be concentrated in a portion of the wiresdisposed in a bending area. Thus, a formation of a crack in the wiresand a defect such as a disconnection of the wires may occur.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the first wires 310 included in the firstwire unit 310 u may include the plurality of holes H in the bending areaBA. The plurality of third wires 330 included in the third wire unit 330u may include the plurality of holes H in the bending area BA. Theplurality of dummy wires 300 included in the dummy wire unit 300 u mayinclude the plurality of holes H in the bending area BA.

The plurality of third wires 330 included in the third wire unit 330 umay be spaced apart from each other by a third pitch P3. The third pitchP3 by which the plurality of third wires 330 are spaced apart from eachother may be greater than the first pitch P1 by which the plurality offirst wires 310 are spaced apart from each other. The plurality of dummywires 300 may be disposed between the plurality of third wires 330.Referring to FIG. 5 , a single dummy wire 300 may be disposed betweenadjacent third wires 330; however, the number of dummy wires 300disposed between the plurality of third wires 330 may be at least one ormore. The number of dummy wires 300 disposed between the plurality ofthird wires 330 may depend on an interval of the third pitch P3 by whichthe plurality of third wires 330 are disposed.

FIG. 6 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 6 illustrates a structure in which the plurality of dummy wires 300are disposed between the plurality of third wires 330.

In a structure in which the plurality of dummy wires 300 and theplurality of the third wires 330 are alternately disposed alternately, adummy wire 300 of the plurality of dummy wires 300 most adjacent to athird wire 330 may be formed to be spaced apart by a pitch P3′. Thepitch P3′ may be substantially the same as the first pitch P1. Aninterval between a first wire 310 of the first wires 310 most adjacentto the dummy wire 300 and a dummy wire may be formed to be a pitch P1′.The pitch P1′ may be substantially the same as the first pitch P1. Thus,the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of first wires 310, andthe plurality of third wires 330 disposed in the bending area BA may bespaced apart from each other by substantially the same pitch.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the third pitch P3 may be formed to be n times greater than the firstpitch P1 (n≥2, n is a natural number). As described above, when at leastone or more dummy wires 300 are formed between the third wires 330disposing each of the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality offirst wires 310, and the plurality of third wires 330 in the bendingarea BA by the same pitch, the third pitch P3 may be formed to be ntimes the first pitch P1 (n≥2, n is a natural number). For example, whenthe third pitch P3 is formed to be two times the first pitch P1, onedummy wire 300 may be disposed between the plurality third wires 330.Referring to FIG. 6 , when the third pitch P3 is formed to be threetimes the first pitch P1, two dummy wires 300 may be disposed betweenthe plurality of third wires 330. According to an exemplary embodimentof the present inventive concept, for example, when the third pitch P3is formed to be four times the first pitch P1, three dummy wires 300 maybe disposed between the plurality of third wires 330.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed betweenthe first wire unit 310 u and the third wire unit 330 u. The dummy wireunit 300 u may also be disposed between the plurality of third wires330. The dummy wire unit 300 u may include a plurality of dummy wires300. The plurality of dummy wires 300 may be spaced apart from eachother by a pitch P. The pitch P may be substantially the same as thefirst pitch P1 of the first plurality of wires 310.

As described above, the display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept may have a structure inwhich the plurality of holes H are formed in the plurality of dummywires, the plurality of first wires 310, and the plurality of thirdwires 330 positioned in the bending area BA and may provide flexibility.The plurality of holes H may be formed to be several micro-meters. Theplurality of holes H may be formed by a precise patterning operation.

As an example, when dummy wire units 300 u are not formed in the samestructure, holes H might not be formed in a “standard” manner in firstwires 310 disposed at an outer side from among the plurality of firstwires 310 of the first wire unit 310 u. Holes H might also not be formedin a “standard” manner in the third wires 330 of the third wire unit 330u having the third pitch P3 greater than the first pitch P1 of theplurality of first wires 310. Holes H not being formed in a “standard”manner may indicate a defect of holes H in which the holes H are formedsmaller than intended, having different sizes, or the like.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be positionedbetween the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u. Theplurality of dummy wires 300 may be spaced apart from the first wireunits 310 u and the second wire units 320 u by the same pitch. Patterndensities of the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of firstwires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320 disposed in the bendingarea BA may be substantially equal to each other, for example, due to apattern compensation structure of the dummy wire unit 300 u. Thus, whenthe plurality of holes H are formed in the plurality of dummy wires 300,the plurality of first wires 320, and the plurality of second wires 320disposed in the bending area BA by patterning, uniform patterning may beperformed with relative ease.

FIG. 7 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 7 , a line width w1 of the first wire unit 310 u maybe different from a line width w2 of the second wire unit 320 u. Forexample, in the first area 1A and the second area 2A excluding thebending area BA, the line width w2 of the second wire unit 320 u may begreater than the line width w1 of the first wire unit 310 u in the firstarea 1A and the second area 2A. Additionally, pitches of the first wireunit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u may be different from eachother. For example, the pitch of the second wire unit 320 u may begreater than the pitch of the first wire unit 310 u.

The second wire unit 320 u may include a plurality of second wires 320in the bending area BA. Thus, the second wire unit 320 u may be providedin multi-line manner and may have substantially the same pitch as thefirst wire unit 310 u or the dummy wire unit 300 u in the bending areaBA. Therefore, the first wire unit 310 u, the second wire unit 320 u,and the dummy wire unit 300 u disposed adjacent to the second wire unit320 u in the bending area may also be formed to have substantially thesame line widths and pitches as each other.

FIG. 8 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 9 illustrates a planar view of a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 8 , a first wire unit 310 u may be disposed at oneside of a bending area BA. A second wire unit 320 u may be disposed atthe other side of the bending area BA. A dummy wire unit 300 u may bedisposed between the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320u. Thus, the first wire unit 310 u may be spaced apart from the secondwire unit 320 u by a predetermined distance. An electrical wire mightnot be disposed in an area between the first wire unit 310 u and thesecond wire unit 320 u. The dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposedbetween the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u.Referring to FIG. 8 , the bending area BA may have substantially thesame structure as the bending area BA of FIG. 4 . In addition, FIG. 8also illustrates a portion of the first area 1A and the second area 2A.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8 , the dummy wire unit 300 u according anexemplary embodiment of the present invention may include the pluralityof dummy wires 300 and an insulating film 400. The insulating film 400may be disposed at ends of each of the plurality of dummy wires 300. Theends of each of the plurality of dummy wires 300 may extend towards thefirst area 1A and the second area 2A. An end of each of the plurality ofdummy wires 300 may be located on the first area 1A and the other endthereof may be located on the second area 2A.

As described with reference to FIG. 4 , the plurality of dummy wires 300may be disposed on the bending area BA. The plurality of dummy wires 300might not be electrically connected to the display unit 200 or the padunit 500. Thus, the plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disconnectedfrom the first area 1A or the second area 2A. The plurality of firstwires 310 and the plurality of second wires 320 may each be electricallyconnected to the display unit 200 or the pad unit 500. Accordingly,delamination may occur at both ends of each of the plurality of dummywires 300.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the insulating film 400 may be disposed atboth ends of each of the plurality of dummy wires 300. The insulatingfilm 400 may be an inorganic insulating film, an organic insulatingfilm, or an organic-inorganic hybrid film.

Referring to FIG. 8 , the insulating film 400 may have an integral formand may cover both ends of the dummy wire unit 300 u. Alternatively,according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the insulating film 400 may be patterned, for example, so as to beprovided on each of the dummy wires 300.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of a displayapparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventiveconcept. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a portion of adummy wire 300, taken along a line A-A of FIG. 8 according to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

The insulating film 400 may include substantially the same material as aplanarization film 207. Alternatively, the insulating film 400 may be afilm including an insulating material. The insulating film 400 mayinclude substantially the same material as a pixel-defining film 208 orthe like. The insulating film 400 may be formed by an independentprocess.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the plurality of dummy wires 300 may includesubstantially the same material as a source electrode 206 a or a drainelectrode 206 b of a thin film transistor TFT. Thus, a dummy wire 300and the source electrode 206 a or the drain electrode 206 b of the thinfilm transistor TFT may be formed by the same process and may bedisposed in the same layer. The dummy wire 300 disposed in the samelayer as the source electrode 206 a or the drain electrode 206 b mayrefer to the dummy wire 300 to be disposed on an interlayer insulatingfilm 205.

The first wire unit 310 u, for example, may be a data wire. The firstwire unit 310 u may extend towards the first area 1A and the second area2A. The first wire unit 310 u may be electrically connected to thedisplay unit 200 in the first area 1A. The first wire unit 310 u may beelectrically connected to the pad unit 500 in the second area 2A.

The first wire unit 310 u may include the plurality of first wires 310.Each of the plurality of first wires 310 may include a 1-1 wire 310 aand a 1-2 wire 310 b. The 1-1 wire 310 a may be disposed in the bendingarea BA. The 1-2 wire 310 b may be disposed in the first area 1A and thesecond area 2A.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the 1-1 wire 301 a and the 1-2 wire 310 b may include differentmaterials from each other. For example, the 1-1 wire 310 a may includesubstantially the same material as the source electrode 206 a or thedrain electrode 206 b of the thin film transistor TFT. The 1-2 wire 310b may include substantially the same material as a gate electrode 204 ofthe thin film transistor TFT. In this case, the 1-1 wire 310 a and the1-2 wire 310 b may be positioned in different layers from each other. Asdescribed above, when the 1-1 wire 301 a and the 1-2 wire 310 b arepositioned in different layers, the 1-1 wire 310 a may be electricallyconnected to the 1-2 wire 310 b, for example, via a contact hole formedin an insulating film disposed between the 1-1 wire 310 a and the 1-2wire 310 b. However, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept are not limited thereto. For example, the 1-1 wire 310 a and the1-2 wire 310 b may be formed as an integral unit and may be disposed inthe same layer.

The second wire unit 320 u, for example, may be a power wire or adriving circuit wire. The second wire unit 320 u may extend towards thefirst area 1A and the second area 2A. The second wire unit 320 u may beelectrically connected to the display unit 200 in the first area 1A. Thesecond wire unit 320 u may be electrically connected to the pad unit 500in the second area 2A.

The second wire unit 320 u may include a plurality of second wires 320.Each of the plurality of second wires 320 may include a 2-1 wire 320 aand a 2-2 wire 320 b. The 2-1 wire 320 a may be disposed the bendingarea BA. The 2-2 wire 320 b may be disposed in the first area 1A and thesecond area 2A.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the 2-1 wire 320 a may include a first sub-wire 320 a 1 and a secondsub-wire 320 a 2. Thus, each of the plurality of second wires 320 mayinclude a plurality of first and second wires 320 a 1 and 320 a 2 in thebending area BA. Referring to FIG. 9 , the 2-1 wire 320 a may includethe first sub-wire 320 a 1 and the second sub-wire 320 a 2; however,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limitedthereto. For example, the 2-1 wire 320 a may include a plurality ofsub-wires depending on a thickness of the 2-2 wire 320 b. Such astructure may increase a flexibility of the plurality of second wires320 disposed in the bending area BA. A pitch P2 between the first andsecond wires 320 a 1 and 320 a 2 may be substantially the same as thefirst pitch P1 between the plurality of first wires 310.

A width of the 2-2 wire 320 b may be greater than a width of the 2-1wire 320 a. As described above, when the second wire unit 320 u is, forexample, a power wire or a driving circuit wire, a width of each of thesecond wires 320 included in the second wire unit 320 u may be greaterthan a width of each of the first wires 310 included in the first wireunit 310 u.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the 1-1 wire 301 a and the 1-2 wire 310 b may include differentmaterials. The 1-1 wire 310 a may include substantially the samematerial as the source electrode 206 a or the drain electrode 206 b ofthe thin film transistor TFT. The 1-2 wire 310 b may includesubstantially the same material as the gate electrode 204 of the thinfilm transistor TFT. The 1-1 wire 310 a and the 1-2 wire 310 b may bedisposed in different layers. As described above, when the 1-1 wire 310a and the 1-2 wire 310 b are disposed in different layers, the 1-1 wire310 a may be electrically connected to the 1-2 wire 310 b, for example,via a contact hole formed in an insulating film disposed between the 1-1wire 310 a and the 1-2 wire 310 b. However, exemplary embodiments of thepresent inventive concept are not limited thereto. For example, the 1-1wire 310 a and the 1-2 wire 310 b may be formed as an integral unit anddisposed in the same layer.

FIG. 9 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

FIG. 9 illustrates a pixel structure of a display unit 200 provided in adisplay apparatus. Referring to FIG. 9 , an organic light-emittingdevice may be a display device 250 of the display unit 200; however,exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limitedthereto. For example, the display device 250 may be a liquid crystaldisplay device or an inorganic light-emitting display device such as anILED.

In addition to the display device 250, the display unit 200 may includea thin film transistor TFT. The thin film transistor TFT may beelectrically connected to the display device 250. According to anexemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, an organiclight-emitting device may be disposed in the display unit 200 as thedisplay device 250. The organic light-emitting device may beelectrically connected to the thin film transistor TFT, and may be referto a pixel electrode 220 electrically connected to the thin filmtransistor TFT. The thin film transistor TFT may be disposed in thenon-display area NDA disposed outside of the display area DA of thesubstrate 100. As described above, the thin film transistor TFTpositioned in the non-display area NDA may be, for example, a portion ofa circuit unit for controlling an electrical signal applied to thedisplay unit 200.

A buffer layer 201 may be disposed on the substrate 100. A semiconductorlayer 202 may be disposed on the buffer layer 201. The buffer layer 201may include silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or the like. Thesemiconductor layer 202 may be disposed on the buffer layer 201, forexample, such that a plane of the substrate 100 is planarized.Additionally, the buffer layer 201 may reduce or prevent impurities frompenetrating into the semiconductor layer 202 of the thin film transistorTFT.

A gate electrode 204 may be disposed over an upper portion of thesemiconductor layer 202. The source electrode 206 a and the drainelectrode 206 b may be electrically connected to each other and maytransmit and receive signals according to signals transmitted to thegate electrode 204. The gate electrode 204 may include one or more ofaluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium(Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium (Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium(Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca), molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti),tungsten (W), or copper (Cu). The material included in the gateelectrode 204 may be selected, for example, in correspondence toadhesives with adjacent layers, surface planarization of a stackedlayer, and workability. The gate electrode 204 may have a single-layeredstructure or a multi-layered structure.

A gate insulating film 203 may be disposed between the semiconductorlayer 202 and the gate electrode 204. The gate insulating film 203 mayinsulate the semiconductor layer 202 from the gate electrode 204. Thegate insulating film 203 may include silicon oxide and/or siliconnitride.

An interlayer insulating film 205 may be disposed on an upper portion ofthe gate electrode 204. The interlayer insulating film 205 may includesilicon oxide or silicon nitride. The interlayer insulating film 205 mayhave a single layered structure or a multi-layered structure.

The source electrode 206 a and the drain electrode 206 b may be disposedon an upper portion of the interlayer insulating film 205. The sourceelectrode 206 a and the drain electrode 206 b may each be electricallyconnected to the semiconductor layer 202, for example, via a contacthole formed in the interlayer insulating film 205 and the gateinsulating film 203. The source electrode 206 a and the drain electrode206 b may include one or more of aluminum (Al), platinum (Pt), palladium(Pd), silver (Ag), magnesium (Mg), gold (Au), nickel (Ni), neodymium(Nd), iridium (Ir), chromium (Cr), lithium (Li), calcium (Ca),molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tungsten (W), or copper (Cu). The sourceelectrode 206 a and the drain electrode 206 b may each have a singlelayered structure or a multi-layered structure.

A protective film may be disposed on thin film transistor TFT. Theprotective film may at least partially cover the thin film transistorTFT. The protective film may protect the thin film transistor TFT. Theprotective film may include, for example, an inorganic material such assilicon oxide, silicon nitride, or silicon oxynitride.

A planarization film 207 may be disposed on the substrate 100. Theplanarization film 207 may be a protective film. When an organiclight-emitting device is disposed over an upper portion of the thin filmtransistor TFT, the planarization film 207 may substantially planarizean upper surface of the thin film transistor TFT. The planarization film207 may also protect the thin film transistor TFT and various devices.The planarization film 207 may include, for example, an acrylic-basedorganic material, benzocyclobutene (BCB), or the like. The buffer layer201, the gate insulating film 203, the interlayer insulating film 205,and the planarization film 207 may be formed over a frontal surface ofthe substrate 100.

A pixel-defining film 208 may be disposed over the upper portion of thethin film transistor TFT. The pixel-defining film 208 may be disposedover the planarization film 207. The pixel defining film 208 may have anopening. The pixel-defining film 208 may define a pixel area on thesubstrate 100.

The pixel-defining film 208 may be an organic insulating film. Theorganic insulating film may include an acrylic-based polymer, forexample, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), a polymerderivative having a phenol group, an imide-based polymer, an arylether-based polymer, an amide-based polymer, a fluorinated polymer, ap-xylene-based polymer, a vinyl alcohol-based polymer, or a combinationthereof.

The display device 250 may be disposed over an upper portion of theplanarization film 207. The display device 250 may include the pixelelectrode 220, an intermediate layer 230, and an opposite electrode 240.The intermediate layer 230 may include an emission layer EML.

The pixel electrode 220 may be formed as a semi-transparent electrode, atransparent electrode, or a reflective electrode. When the pixelelectrode 220 is a semi-transparent electrode or a transparentelectrode, the pixel electrode 220 may include, for example, ITO, IZO,ZnO, In₂O₃, IGO, or AZO. When the pixel electrode 220 is a reflectiveelectrode, the pixel electrode 220 may include a reflective filmincluding Ag, Mg, Al, Pt, Pd, Au, Ni, Nd, Ir, Cr, or a compound thereof.The pixel electrode 220 may also include a layer including ITO, IZO,ZnO, In₂O₃, IGO, or AZO. However, exemplary embodiments of the presentinventive concept are not limited thereto. The pixel electrode 220 mayinclude various materials. A structure of the pixel electrode 220 mayvary. The pixel electrode 220 may have a single layered structure or amulti-layered structure.

The intermediate layer 230 may be disposed in a pixel area defined bythe pixel-defining film 208. The intermediate layer 230 may include theemission layer EML. The emission layer EML may emit light, for example,by using an electrical signal. The intermediate layer 230 may be formedby stacking a hole injection layer HIL, a hole transport layer HTL, anelectron transport layer ETL, an electron injection layer EIL, or thelike, in a single or complex structure.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the hole injection layer HIL may be disposed between the emission layerEML and the pixel electrode 220. The electrode transport layer ETL maybe disposed between the emission layer EML and the opposite electrode240. However, the intermediate layer 230 is not limited thereto, and mayhave various structures.

The opposite electrode 240 may be disposed over at least a portion ofthe frontal surface of the substrate 100. The opposite electrode 240 maycover at least a portion of the intermediate layer 230 including theemission layer EML. The opposite electrode 240 may face the pixelelectrode 220. The opposite electrode 240 may be semi-transparentelectrode, a transparent electrode, or a reflective electrode.

When the opposite electrode 240 is a semi-transparent electrode or atransparent electrode, the opposite electrode 240 may have a layerincluding a metal with a relatively small working function, for example,Li, Ca, LiF/Ca, LiF/Al, Al, Ag, Mg, or a compound thereof. The oppositeelectrode 240 may also include a semi-transparent conductive layer or atransparent conductive layer, for example, including ITO, IZO, ZnO, orIn₂O₃. When the opposite electrode 240 is a reflective electrode, theopposite electrode 240 may include a layer including Li, Ca, LiF/Ca,LiF/Al, Al, Ag, Mg, or a compound thereof. However, a configuration anda material of the opposite electrode 240 are not limited thereto.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,functional layers such as a sealing layer, a polarizing layer, and acolor filter may be disposed in an upper portion of the oppositeelectrode 240.

Referring to FIG. 9 , the plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disposedon the interlayer insulating film 205. As described with reference toFIG. 8 , the insulating film 400 may be disposed at both ends of theplurality of dummy wires 300. Thus, the insulating film 400 may coverthe ends of the plurality of dummy wires 300.

FIGS. 10 to 14 each are cross-sectional views illustrating a portion ofa display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concept. In FIGS. 10 to 14 , a structure of each non-displayarea NDA including the bending area BA may be different from theaforementioned exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept.Hereinafter, the differences therebetween will be described in moredetail below.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disposedon an organic layer 420. Thus, the organic layer 420 may be disposedbelow lower surfaces of the plurality of dummy wires 300. The organiclayer 420 may be disposed over the bending area BA. Referring to FIG. 10, the organic layer 420 may extend to an outside of the bending area BA.The organic layer 420 may overlap with portions of each of the firstarea 1A and the second area 2A.

The organic layer 420 may be less hard than an inorganic insulating filmincluding the buffer layer 201, the gate insulating film 203, and theinterlayer insulating film 205. Thus, when a the substrate 100 is bent,a tensile stress applied to the dummy, first and second wire units 300u, 310 u, and 320 u of FIG. 8 may be reduced. Accordingly, a formationof a crack in the dummy, first, and second wire units 300 u, 310 u, and320 u may be reduced or prevented.

Referring to FIG. 10 , the organic layer 420 may be disposed on theinterlayer insulating film 205. Referring to FIG. 11 , the organic layer420 may be disposed to cover at least portions of an opening 420 aformed in an inorganic insulating layer. For example, the organic layer420 may cover the entirety of the opening 420 a.

Referring to FIG. 11 the opening 420 a may be formed in the gateinsulating film 203 and the interlayer insulating film 205. Referring toFIG. 12 , the opening 420 a may be formed in the gate insulating film203, the interlayer insulating film 205, and the buffer layer 201.Referring to FIG. 11 , when the opening 420 a is formed in the gateinsulating film 203 and the interlayer insulating film 205 exposing atleast portions of the buffer layer 201, the organic layer 420 maycontact the buffer layer 201 via the opening 420 a. Referring to FIG. 12, when the opening 420 a is formed in the gate insulating film 203, theinterlayer insulating film 205, and the buffer layer 201 exposing atleast portions of the substrate 100, the organic layer 420 may contactthe substrate 100 via the opening 420 a.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disposed on the organic layer420.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14 , the plurality of dummy wires 300 mayextend to an outside of the organic layer 420. The plurality of dummywires 300 may extend from the bending area BA, and portions thereof maybe disposed in the first area 1A and the second area 2A of the substrate100.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,referring to FIG. 14 , the plurality of dummy wires 300 disposed outsidethe opening 420 a may be disposed on an edge of the organic layer 420and the interlayer insulating film 205. Additionally, at least one ofthe plurality of dummy wires 300 may be disposed outside the organiclayer 420. The at least one dummy wire 300 disposed outside the opening420 a may be at least partially covered by the insulating film 400.Alternatively, the insulating film 400 may be pattered to cover each ofthe plurality of dummy wires 300 disposed outside of the opening 420 aindividually.

FIG. 15 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.FIG. 16 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16 , a form of wires located in the bendingarea BA may differ from exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept previously described herein. The form of the wires may beapplied to the first wire unit 310 u, the second wire unit 320 u, thethird wire unit 330 u, or the dummy wire unit 300 u disposed in thebending area BA. Thus, exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept as described herein with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16 , thefirst wire unit 310 u, the second wire unit 320 u, the third wire unit330 u, and the dummy wire unit 300 u are not individually distinguished,may be collectively referred to as a “bending wire”.

Referring to FIG. 15 , a bending wire 410 according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept may have a plurality ofholes 410 h. A planar form of each of the holes 410 h may besector-shaped. The planar form may include two relatively straightlines, in which one end of each of the lines meet at a constant angleand an arc connects the other ends of adjacent lines.

Although the planar form of each of the holes 410 h may besector-shaped; exemplary embodiments of the present inventive conceptare not limited thereto. For example, a planar form of the holes 410 hmay be of a form including a curved line or a relatively straight line.For example, a planar shape of each of the holes 410 h may be a polygon,a circle, an ellipse, or a portion of a polygon, a circle, or anellipse.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the holes 410 h may include a first hole 410 h 1 and a second hole 410 h2. The first hole 410 h 1 may be disposed along a first axis ax1. Thesecond hole 410 h 2 may be disposed along a second axis ax2. The secondaxis ax2 may be spaced apart from the first axis ax1, for example, by apredetermined distance. The first hole 410 h 1 may have a first curvedportion r1. The first curved portion r1 may protrude in a seconddirection (e.g., a +x direction). The second hole 410 h 2 may have asecond curved portion r2. The second curved portion r2 may protrude in athird direction (e.g., a −x direction). The third direction may beopposite to the second direction. The first hole 410 h 1 and the secondhole 410 h 2 may be disposed to alternate with each other in a firstdirection (e.g., a +y direction). The first direction may intersect witheach of the second direction (e.g., the +x direction) and the thirddirection (e.g., the −x direction).

Referring to FIG. 16 , the bending wire 410′ may include a plurality ofholes 410 h′. The holes 410 h′ may be disposed so as to form a pluralityof rows. However, the number of the holes 410 h′ or the rows is notlimited. For example, two or more holes 410 h′ may be disposed to formtwo or more rows. According to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinventive concept, a planar form of each of the holes 410 h′ may besubstantially the same as each other as illustrated in FIG. 16 .However, a planar form of each of the holes 410 h′ is not limitedthereto.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,holes 410 h′ in an n^(th) row may be disposed and spaced apart fromholes 410 h′ in an n−1^(th) row by a first distance d in the seconddirection (e.g., the +x direction). Thus, holes 410 h′ of consecutivelyarranged rows might not be disposed at the same position with respect toa central axes thereof extending in the first direction (e.g., the +ydirection). Furthermore, positions of the central axes of the holesextending in the first direction (e.g., the +y direction), may bedifferent from each other. A central axis of the holes 410 h′ in then^(th) row may be spaced apart from a central axis of the holes 410 h′in the n−1^(th) row by the first distance d in the second direction(e.g., the +x direction). The central axis of the holes 410 h′ in then^(th) row may be spaced apart by the first distance d to the right orleft with respect to the holes 410 h′ in the n−1^(th) row.

As described above, the display apparatus according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present inventive concept may have a structure inwhich the holes H are formed, for example, for flexibility of theplurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality of first wires 310, and theplurality of third wires 330 disposed in the bending area BA. The holesH may be a size of several micro-meters. The holes H may be formed by aprecise patterning operation.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,when dummy wire units 300 u are not formed in the same structure, holesH of first wires 310 disposed at an outer side of the plurality of firstwires 310 of the first wire unit 310 u might not be formed in a“standard” manner. Holes H of the third wires 330 of the third wire unit330 u, which may be spaced apart from each other by the third pitch P3greater than the first pitch P1 of the plurality of first wires 310,might not be formed in a “standard” manner. Holes H not being formed ina “standard” manner may refer to a defect of holes H in which the holesH are formed smaller than intended, having different sizes, or the like.

In the display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent inventive concept, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposedbetween the first wire unit 310 u and the second wire unit 320 u. Theplurality of dummy wires 300 may be spaced apart from each of the firstwire units 310 u and the second wire units 320 u by the same pitch.Pattern densities of the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality offirst wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320 disposed in thebending area BA may be substantially the same, for example, due to apattern compensation structure of the dummy wire unit 300 u. Thus, whenholes H are formed in the plurality of dummy wires 300, the plurality offirst wires 310, and the plurality of second wires 320 located on thebending area BA by patterning, uniform patterning may be performed withrelative ease.

FIG. 17 is a planar view illustrating a portion of a display apparatusaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 17 , a first wire unit and a dummy wire unit may beprovided as relatively straight lines. Thus, the first wire unit and thedummy wire unit may be formed as straight lines having a simple form(e.g. no holes therein).

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept,the plurality of first wires 310 may be spaced apart from each other bya constant distance of the first pitch P1. In addition, the plurality ofdummy wires 300 disposed in the bending area BA may be spaced apart fromeach other by the pitch P. The pitch P may be substantially the same asthe first pitch P1 of the first wires 310. A dummy wire unit 300 u maybe disposed in an area adjacent to the first wire unit 310 u. The dummywire unit 300 u may be disposed in an area in which electrical wires arenot located, for example, in the bending area BA.

When the dummy wire unit 300 u is disposed adjacent to the first wireunit 310 u, a first wire 310 of the plurality of first wires 310 mostadjacent to the dummy wire unit 300 u may be spaced apart from a dummywire 300 by a pitch P1′. The pitch P1′ may be substantially the same asthe first pitch P1.

As described above, the dummy wire unit 300 u may be disposed in an areaadjacent to the first wire unit 310 u and an area in which electricalwires are not located, for example, in the bending area BA. Thus, theplurality of dummy wires 300 and the plurality of first wires 310positioned in the bending area BA may be spaced apart by the first pitchP1 and pitches P1′ and P that are the same as each other.

According to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventiveconcept, a display apparatus having a longer lifetime and minimizedoccurrence of failures such as a disconnection during a manufacturingprocess may be provided. However, exemplary embodiments of the presentinventive concept are not limited thereto.

It should be understood that exemplary embodiments of the presentinventive concept described herein should be considered in a descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of featuresor aspects within each exemplary embodiment should typically beconsidered as available for other similar features or aspects in otherexemplary embodiments.

While one or more exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concepthave been described with reference to the figures, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeas defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display apparatus, comprising: a substratecomprising a first area, a second area, and a bending area between thefirst area and the second area; a display unit in the first area; aplurality of wires over the bending area of the substrate, the pluralityof wires being spaced apart from each other in the bending area; and aplurality of dummy wires disposed at least on the bending area; whereinat least one of the plurality of dummy wires is alternately arrangedwith the plurality of wires in a portion of the bending area.
 2. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of wires do not haveholes in the bending area.
 3. The display apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of wires are electrically connected to the display unit.4. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of dummywires and the plurality of wires are disposed at same interval on thebending area.
 5. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pluralityof wires further comprise a plurality of second wires electricallyconnected to the display unit, wherein each of the plurality of secondwires is connected to at least one of a power wire and a driving circuitwire.
 6. The display apparatus of claim 5, wherein the plurality ofdummy wires are disposed between the plurality of wires and theplurality of second wires.
 7. The display apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of wires further comprise a plurality of second wires,wherein at least two of the plurality of second wires are connected to apower wire or a driving circuit wire.
 8. The display apparatus of claim1, wherein the plurality of dummy wires are isolated in the bendingarea.
 9. The display apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: aninorganic insulating layer disposed on the substrate, the inorganicinsulating layer comprising an opening corresponding to the bendingarea, wherein ends of each of the plurality of dummy wires extendoutside the opening.
 10. The display apparatus of claim 9, furthercomprising: an organic layer filling at least portions of the opening,the organic layer being disposed between the substrate and the pluralityof wires and between the substrate and the plurality of dummy wires,wherein ends of each of the plurality of dummy wires extend to outsidethe organic layer.
 11. The display apparatus of claim 9, wherein an endof each of the plurality of dummy wires is disposed in the first areaand another end of each of the plurality of dummy wires is disposed inthe second area.
 12. The display apparatus of claim 11, wherein aninsulating film is disposed on ends of each of the plurality of dummywires, the insulating film covering ends of each of the plurality ofdummy wires.
 13. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of wires comprises a first conductive layer corresponding tothe bending area and a second conductive layer corresponding to thefirst area and the second area, and the first conductive layer and thesecond conductive layer are disposed on different layers.
 14. Thedisplay apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first conductive layer andthe second conductive layer are electrically connected to each other inthe first area and the second area.
 15. The display apparatus of claim13, wherein the plurality of dummy wires are disposed on same layer asthe second conductive layer.
 16. The display apparatus of claim 13,wherein the plurality of wires have same length in a first direction.